Weapons Instructor Course (WIC) 2024 Leeuwarden AB, Netherlands

Base Visits
Lockheed Martin F-35A Lichtning II 5005 132 Luftvig Royal Norwegian Air Force and F-014 322sq Royal Netherlands Air Force ready for take-off from Leeuwarden AB, Netherlands | Rob Vogelaar
Lockheed Martin F-35A Lichtning II 5005 132 Luftvig Royal Norwegian Air Force and F-014 322sq Royal Netherlands Air Force ready for take-off from Leeuwarden AB, Netherlands | Rob Vogelaar

In almost six months, 29 students from the Netherlands, MQ-9, F-35A. Belgium F-16AM and Norway F-35A were trained as weapons instructors. They are not only pilots, also officers and non-commissioned officers from supporting service branches participate in this course which is of the highest level. Good leadership, the integration of supporting service branches and international cooperation is of great importance to keep the Netherlands and NATO safe today and tomorrow and to defend it when necessary.

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lichtning II F-014 322sq Royal Netherlands Air Force

The WIC 2024 will bring together six training programs. Among the participants this year are F-35 pilots, F-16 pilots, MQ-9 pilot and sensor operator, Patriot operators, intelligence officers and Air Battle Managers (ABM). The goal is more integration between the different weapon systems and support services as well as increasing the (tactical) leadership of the participants. This will be practiced to the highest level during the WIC.

Lockheed Martin F-35A Lichtning II 5506 132 Luftvig Royal Norwegian Air Force
Lockheed Martin F-35A Lichtning II 5506 132 Luftvig Royal Norwegian Air Force

Students attended the first four weeks of WIC theory classes in the Netherlands. After theoretical lessons in the Netherlands, a practical part followed from Ørland Air Base in Norway.

After a short vacation period, trainees resumed training from Leeuwarden Air Base. After the vacation they started the air-to-surface phase with a week of theory and training flights.

The WIC is concluded in the Netherlands with a major final exercise ended in the first week of November, the Weapons Integration Phase (WSINT). During WSINT, trainees will fly over the North Sea as well as in existing military airspace over the northern part of the Netherlands.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A-5 Reaper M-001 306sq Royal Netherlands Air Force
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9A-5 Reaper M-001 306sq Royal Netherlands Air Force

This is the first time at the WIC that a pilot from an unmanned aircraft is also participating. This is the pilot who is to fly the MQ-9 Reaper, which has been operational and flying from the Leeuwarden base since this year.

General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon FA-117 10w Belgian Air Component
General Dynamics F-16AM Fighting Falcon FA-117 10w Belgian Air Component

Leeuwarden Air Base is an ideal location for that training because of its location near the North Sea and the Vliehors training area on the Wadde Island of Vlieland.

Photos Rob Vogelaar

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